Utility companies preparing for potential severe weather

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Utility companies in the Wichita area are getting ready for the impact severe storms could have this weekend.

Evergy said they are working with teams to monitor the forecast and are updating their response plans as the weather changes.

“Monitoring the weather conditions very closely and stopping our crews accordingly so we’re ready to respond as quickly (and) as we safely can,” Kayley Bohlen, Evergy’s communications manager, said. “We’ll also call in additional contractors and local resources as needed as the weather rolls in this weekend.”

Evergy also wants customers to stay weather-aware so they are prepared if the power goes out. You can check on the Evergy app to see when power will be restored as well as report an outage.

Bohlen also said staff will be working around the clock if there are outages.

American Red Cross ready to respond to storm damage

Black Hills Energy told KSN they have plenty of staff and are on standby. They are watching the weather closely.

There are things you can do as well, Black Hills said, ahead of the potential storms. James Williams, the community affairs program manager, said to check your meter now so you know where it is.

You should also move things like lawn furniture and tree limbs that could hit your meter and damage it. After the storm clears, go back out and check the meter.

“The hail event, going to go look at your meter again and see if anything damaged it,” Williams said. “And if it’s a flash flooding severe rain event and if your meter is surrounded by water, be sure to give us a call.”

Check your carbon monoxide monitors now as well to make sure they are working because if there is a gas leak, you may not be able to smell it.

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